Gurnee, Illinois - Many areas of Illinois, including Chicago and Gurnee, as well as the surrounding areas were rocked earlier this week by severe storms, which pelted the area with high winds and rains. The Trib Local in Gurnee reported that the storm was so bad that it left over 860,000 residents without power, including Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, when it rolled through Monday morning, July 11.

The park had lost power even before the day began, forcing the park to remain closed on Tuesday, and causing traffic to back up to nearby Interstate 95, as those vehicles arriving at the park had to be turned away. Despite severe winds of up to 72 mph, none of the parks attractions were damaged during the storm, but the power supplies to the park and all over the region were disrupted and damaged by the storms.

As of 1 p.m. Thursday, ComEd, the power company that supplies the majority of the area with power, said that there were still 88,000 customers without power. According to the Lake County News-Sun, ComEd projected to have 99% of its customers back with power by the end of Friday. Six Flags Great America had its power restored that day and was reopened by Tuesday as planned, since there was no damage to the park otherwise.